Pretoria: Former Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas has pledged to do his utmost as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Special Envoy to the United States (US) to promote a healthy working relationship between South Africa and the US.
According to South African Government News Agency, this follows the President’s announcement on Monday of Jonas’s appointment as his Special Envoy to the United States, where he will serve as the official representative of the President and the government of South Africa.
Jonas expressed his gratitude to President Cyril Ramaphosa for the trust placed in him, stating, “I would like to thank President Cyril Ramaphosa for entrusting me with this important but challenging role. I will do my best to promote a healthy working relationship between South Africa and the United States.” This statement was issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
The former Deputy Minister acknowledged the challenges ahead due to recent global developments. “I am fully cognisant of the difficulties that lie ahead, considering recent global developments. However, I believe that areas of commonality and mutual interest could be embraced to reaffirm the long-standing ties between our two countries,” he noted.
Jonas emphasized the complexity of the situation, urging South Africans to exercise patience and allow time for engagement with various stakeholders in both countries. “There are no quick fixes in such a complex situation. I appeal that, in the national interest, South Africans exercise patience and allow us time and space to engage fully with different stakeholders in the United States and South Africa.”
He also indicated that any updates regarding his work would be communicated through the Presidency and DIRCO. President Ramaphosa described Jonas as an eminent South African leader who previously served as one of four Presidential Investment Envoys appointed in 2018 to facilitate investment into South Africa.
In addition to his new diplomatic role, Jonas will continue to serve as the Independent Non-Executive Chairman of the MTN Group.